VICTORIA – The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the winners of the 2020 Greater Victoria Business Awards.
The winners distinguished themselves in many categories and many ways, including excellent customer service, sustainable business practices, emerging professionals and non-profit association of the year.
From start-ups to local legends, The Chamber’s 2020 Greater Victoria Business Awards showcase hard-working entrepreneurs, business people and community leaders in 14 categories worth celebrating.
Winners were chosen by an independent panel of prominent business leaders who served as judges. This marks the first year the event has been held as a televised broadcast (premiering at 6 p.m., Sept. 19, on CHEK).
“This year has been challenging for everyone and it’s important we take the time to celebrate our local businesses and the contributions they make to our community,” Chamber CEO Bruce Williams said. “Our region is home to many outstanding businesses and being able to recognize their innovation and hard work gives them a much-needed boost as we move through this pandemic.”
Philanthropist Bill McCreadie received the 2020 Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award, which honours an individual for his or her outstanding leadership and accomplishments over the decades.
Max Furniture’s Rahim Khudabux has been named The Chamber’s Member of the Year. This award recognizes an individual who has served as a volunteer at The Chamber, has taken an active role with the board or committees, fosters relationships with the community and advocates on behalf of business.
With 1,400 members, The Chamber’s mission is to serve Greater Victoria by working together to build good business and great community through advocacy, networking events, professional development and other unique activities.
The Chamber 2020 Business Awards winners and finalists
Community Builder; sponsored by Coast Capital Savings
- WINNER: VICTORIA COOL AID SOCIETY
- FINALIST: Scale Collaborative
Innovation; sponsored by University of Victoria, Peter B. Gustavson School of Business
- WINNER: BRNKL BY BARNACLE SYSTEMS INC.
- FINALIST: Moduurn
Outstanding Customer Service; sponsored by Innov8 Digital Solutions Inc.
- WINNER: VICTORIA COMFORT KEEPERS
- FINALIST: Victoria HarbourCats
Sustainable Business Practices; sponsored by Camosun College
- WINNER: TOPSOIL – Innovative Urban Agriculture Inc.
- FINALIST: Elate Cosmetics
New Business; sponsored by Community Futures – Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
- WINNER: KWENCH
- FINALIST: Fettle + Food
Business Person of the Year; sponsored by Deloitte Canada
- WINNER: LISE GYORKOS, PAGE ONE PUBLISHING
- FINALIST: Dave Obee, Times Colonist
Emerging Business Person of the Year; sponsored by Royal Roads University
- WINNER: MIKE WALKER, ROLL.FOCUS.PRODUCTIONS
- FINALIST: Erin Boggs, Robinson’s Outdoor Store
Outstanding Workplace of the Year sponsored by Ralmax Group of Companies
- WINNER: FLYTOGRAPHER
- FINALIST: Vancouver Island Brewing
Non-Profit of the Year; sponsored by Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island
- WINNER: OCEAN NETWORKS CANADA
- FINALIST: The Cridge Centre for the Family
Business of the Year (1-10 Employees); sponsored by City of Victoria
- WINNER: HOUSE OF BOATENG
- FINALIST: Four Frames Photo Booth
Business of the Year (11-39 Employees); sponsored by TELUS Communications
- WINNER: MAPLE LEAF ADVENTURES
- FINALIST: Russell Books
Business of the Year (40+ Employees); sponsored by Berwick Retirement Community
- WINNER: RALMAX GROUP OF COMPANIES
- FINALIST: Heart Pharmacy
Chamber Member of the Year; sponsored by Air Canada
- Rahim Khudabux, Max Furniture
Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award; sponsored by the Times Colonist
- Bill McCreadie, McCreadie & Tait
